Collective activism has power. What better time to use it than now. America’s waging political, social, financial, and hot wars. It’s doing it globally. It’s happening at home and abroad. Constitutional protections are disappearing. America’s social contract is being destroyed.

Electoral politics doesn’t work. Duopoly power runs America. Republicans and Democrats reflect two sides of the same coin. Not a dime’s worth of difference separates them. Throwing out bums assures new ones. It happens every time.

Vital change is needed. Revolution is the only solution. Authority must be challenged disruptively. Doing so requires mobilizing it. Egalitarian reform is essential. Grass roots activism is key. Popular struggles depend on it.

Ordinary people have enormous power. Key is using it. It takes more than marches, rallies, slogans or violence. It takes sustained commitment, withdrawing cooperation, breaking entrenched rules, challenging reprisals, and staying the course.

Powerful interests run today’s America. They take full advantage. Absolute power corrupts them absolutely. They’re free to steal, plunder, exploit, accumulate wealth, and dominate. They do it at our expense.

Inequality is unprecedented. America the beautiful never existed and doesn’t now. Calling it a land of opportunity defies reality. Democratic freedoms are incompatible with predatory capitalism. Everyone’s on their own sink or swim.

Privileged few alone benefit. Others are used and abused. Adam Smith said nominal democracy should be “instituted for the defense of the rich against the poor.” It’s more than ever true today.

Corporatism is empowered. It rules the world. Military might supports it. Fundamental rights don’t matter. The world’s richest most developed country spurns them. It thumbs its nose at what matters most.

Growing poverty, unemployment, hunger, homelessness, and human misery follow. Plutocratic sharks don’t care. Bottom line priorities alone matter. Money is used to make more of it. Enough is never enough.

Human needs and welfare are sacrificed. Exploitation is institutionalized. American style democracy assures it. Michael Parenti calls it democracy for the few. It’s the best money can buy.

America’s wealthy class dominates. Ordinary people have no say. What democratic mandate directed government to transfer wealth to the privileged few? Why are ordinary people left out?

Why do corporate giants get huge handouts? Why are they licensed to steal? Why are wars fought to enrich them? Why are democratic freedoms compromised to serve them?

Achieving equitable change isn’t rocket science. Putting money power in public hands is a good way to start.

So is prioritizing justice, fairness, full employment, a minimum living wage, universal healthcare, free education to the highest levels, other vital social services, peace, and government by and for everyone equitably.

America’s current system failed. When disrobed and exposed to the light of day, America’s rulers have feet of clay. Their time has past. Social restructuring for everyone is needed. Mobilizing effectively can get it.

Regime change begins at home. A fundamental makeover is key. It requires ripping up political Washington from the roots and starting over. Nothing less assures change.

Democracy’s not a divine right. Getting and preserving it demands commitment. Out with the old. In with the new.

Hardship propels people to collective action. Mobilized disruptive power drives them. What better idea to build on. What better time than now.

A Final Comment

Charles Derber’s teaching and books focus on corporate power, capitalist injustice, globalization, American militarism, its quest for dominance, as well as peace and global justice movements seeking change.

He discusses how US regimes gain, hold and lose power. Current ones include corrupt politicians, Wall Street, war profiteers, and other corporate favorites.

Derber calls America’s government the “corporate regime.” He does so for good reason. Big business runs things. Money power is at the top of the pecking order.

Giant banks and financial institutions are more powerful than standing armies. They undermine freedom and social justice. They turn democracies into tyrannies. They wage wars for profit. They menace humanity in the process.

When earlier corporate regimes collapsed, things improved. If history repeats, better times are possible but not sure. Derber expects either a more egalitarian society or deeper US-style fascism.

It’ll be wrapped in an American flag. It already is. It’s embedded in police state laws, scoundrel media managed news, academia, and hardline political opportunism. Stopping it is top priority before it’s too late to matter.

Americans “have the ability to (do so) if they understand the change and how to respond,” says Derber. They have more power than they realize.

Key is using it responsibly. It’s high time people understood and acted accordingly. Ugliness won’t end on its own. It needs committed shoving.

Stephen Lendman was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. In 1956, he received a BA from Harvard University. Two years of US Army service followed, then an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. After working seven years as a marketing research analyst, he joined the Lendman Group family business in 1967. He remained there until retiring at year end 1999. Writing on major world and national issues began in summer 2005. In early 2007, radio hosting followed. Lendman now hosts the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network three times weekly. Distinguished guests are featured. Listen live or archived. Major world and national issues are discussed. Lendman is a 2008 Project Censored winner and 2011 Mexican Journalists Club international journalism award recipient.

About Stephen

Stephen Lendman was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. In 1956, he received a BA from Harvard University. Two years of US Army service followed, then an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. After working seven years as a marketing research analyst, he joined the Lendman Group family business in 1967.